• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.889-896
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• 2022

This study attempted to evaluate the usefulness of the air mattress by analyzing the subjective comfort of the patient due to the application of the air mattress to the table of computed tomography through a questionnaire and analyzing the change in image quality through quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the patient's clinical images. The subjects who participated in the study were 221 men and 229 women, and the age range was from 18 to 86. To evaluate the change in image quality, a total of 150 patients, 50 patients per group, were selected for quantitative evaluation, and 20 patients per group, a total of 60 patients were selected for qualitative evaluation. As a result of this study, the subjective comfort of patients increased due to air mattresses, and there was no difference in image quality as a result of quantitative and qualitative evaluation of clinical images. From the above results, it is believed that the air mattress can be usefully applied in a way that can increase the subjective comfort of the patient without any harm to the diagnostic image.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.104-116
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to systematically determine an optimal percentile cut-off in histogram analysis for calculating the mean parameters obtained from a non-Gaussian continuous-time random-walk (CTRW) diffusion model for differentiating individual glioma grades. This retrospective study included 90 patients with histopathologically proven gliomas (42 grade II, 19 grade III, and 29 grade IV). We performed diffusion-weighted imaging using 17 b-values (0-4000 s/mm²) at 3T, and analyzed the images with the CTRW model to produce an anomalous diffusion coefficient (D_m) along with temporal (𝛼) and spatial (𝛽) diffusion heterogeneity parameters. Given the tumor ROIs, we created a histogram of each parameter; computed the P-values (using a Student's t-test) for the statistical differences in the mean D_m, 𝛼, or 𝛽 for differentiating grade II vs. grade III gliomas and grade III vs. grade IV gliomas at different percentiles (1% to 100%); and selected the highest percentile with P < 0.05 as the optimal percentile. We used the mean parameter values calculated from the optimal percentile cut-offs to do a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis based on individual parameters or their combinations. We compared the results with those obtained by averaging data over the entire region of interest (i.e., 100th percentile). We found the optimal percentiles for D_m, 𝛼, and 𝛽 to be 68%, 75%, and 100% for differentiating grade II vs. III and 58%, 19%, and 100% for differentiating grade III vs. IV gliomas, respectively. The optimal percentile cut-offs outperformed the entire-ROI-based analysis in sensitivity (0.761 vs. 0.690), specificity (0.578 vs. 0.526), accuracy (0.704 vs. 0.639), and AUC (0.671 vs. 0.599) for grade II vs. III differentiations and in sensitivity (0.789 vs. 0.578) and AUC (0.637 vs. 0.620) for grade III vs. IV differentiations, respectively. Percentile-based histogram analysis, coupled with the multi-parametric approach enabled by the CTRW diffusion model using high b-values, can improve glioma grading.

• The Journal of KAIRB
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2022

Purpose: The traditional ethical study only suggests a blurred insight on the research using medical big data, especially in this rapid-changing and demanding environment which is called "4th Industry Revolution." Current institutional/ethical issues in big data research need to approach with the thoughtful insight of past ethical study reflecting the understanding of present conditions of this study. This study aims to examine the ethical issues that are emerging in recent health care big data research. So, this study aims to survey the public perceptions on of health care big data as part of the process of public discourse and the acceptance of the utility and provision of big data research as a subject of health care information. In addition, the emerging ethical challenges and how to comply with ethical principles in accordance with principles of the Belmont report will be discussed. Methods: Survey was conducted from June 3th August to 6th September 2020. The online survey was conducted through voluntary participation through Internet users. A total of 319 people who completed the survey (±5.49%P [95% confidence level] were analyzed. Results: In the area of the public's perspective, the survey showed that the medical information is useful for new medical development, but it is also necessary to obtain consents from subjects in order to use that medical information for various research purposes. In addition, many people were more concerned about the possibility of re-identifying personal information in medical big data. Therefore, they mentioned the necessity of transparency and privacy protection in the use of medical information. Conclusion: Big data on medical care is a core resource for the development of medicine directly related to human life, and it is necessary to open up medical data in order to realize the public good. But the ethical principles should not be overlooked. The right to self-determination must be guaranteed by means of clear, diverse consent or withdrawal of subjects, and processed in a lawful, fair and transparent manner in the processing of personal information. In addition, scientific and ethical validity of medical big data research is indispensable. Such ethical healthcare data is the only key that will lead to innovation in the future.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.164-177
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• 2022

Medical device usability evaluation refers to the evaluation of medical devices through actual users before the final prototype production is completed. IEC 62366, one of the international safety standards for electronic medical devices, is a standard that must be applied to obtain medical device licenses in major advanced countries such as Europe and the United States. In Korea, through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's notice, from January 2021, sequential application by grade has been implemented. In this study, 15 participant specialists were recruited through the Incheon G University Hospital Medical Device Convergence Center for formative evaluation during user suitability evaluation of the focused ultrasound stimulation system being developed by Icleo Co., Ltd., and the test was conducted through joint scenario development. . In the result of task performance, the performance rate was 90.67%, and after the completion of the performance, 86.67% of 'Easy user interface' and 94% of 'Identification/Readability/Understanding of information' questions in the participant survey results analysis by question. The response rate was above average.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.138-149
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• 2022

The clinical applicability of ceramics can be increased by analyzing the causes of fractures after fracture testing of dental ceramics. Fractography to analyze the cause of fracture of dental ceramics is being widely applied with the development of imaging technologies such as scanning electron microscopy. Setting the experimental conditions is important for accurate interpretation. The fractured specimens should be stored and cleaned to avoid contamination, and metal pretreatment is required for better observation. Depending on the type of fracture, there are dimple rupture, cleavage, and decohesive rupture mainly observed in metals, and fatigue fractures and conchoidal fractures observed in ceramics. In order to reproduce fatigue fracture in the laboratory, which is the main cause of fracture of ceramics, a dynamic loading for observing slow crack growth is essential, and the load conditions and number of loads must be appropriately set. A typical characteristic of a fracture surface of ceramic is a hackle, and the causes of fracture vary depending on the shape of hackle. Fractography is a useful method for in-depth understanding of fractures of dental ceramics, so it is necessary to follow the exact experimental procedure and interpret the results with caution.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.405-410
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• 2022

In brachytherapy, a radiation source is inserted into the body to kill tumor tissue. Therefore, it is important to accurately measure the location of the source and the dose distribution. In this study, a dosimeter that can be used for brachytherapy was developed using CsPbBr₃ which is cheaper than the existing detector materials and has a simpler manufacturing process. The CsPbBr₃ dosimeter performance was evaluated by analyzing reproducibility, linearity, and distance dependence in ¹⁹²Ir source. As a result of reproducibility evaluation, the RSD was 1.36%, which satisfies the standard value of 1.5%. As a result of the linearity evaluation, the R² value was 0.9993, which satisfies the standard R² of 0.9990. The distance dependence evaluation showed a signal value that decreased exponentially as the distance increased. The evaluation results show that the CsPbBr₃ dosimeter satisfies the evaluation criteria and can be used as a brachytherapy quality assurance dosimeter.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.615-623
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• 2021

Human sparganosis is a food-borne parasitic disease caused by the plerocercoids of Spirometra species. Clinical diagnosis of sparganosis is crucial for effective treatment, thus it is important to identify sensitive and specific antigens of plerocercoids. The aim of the current study was to identify and characterize the immunogenic proteins of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei plerocercoids that were recognized by patient sera. Crude soluble extract of the plerocercoids were separated using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with immunoblot and mass spectrometry analysis. Based on immunoblotting patterns and mass spectrometry results, 8 antigenic proteins were identified from the plerocercoid. Among the proteins, cysteine protease protein might be developed as an antigen for diagnosis of sparganosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.572-586
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• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the factors that may affect the growth status of preterm infants. Methods: This study included 91 preterm infants born at <37 weeks of gestation (22.9-36.9 weeks of gestation), including 48 (52.7%) males and 43 (47.3%) females. Diet-related data were collected through parental questionnaires, and growth-related data, such as height and weight, were collected through the hospital medical records. Results: No significant difference in weight and growth was observed between early and late preterm infants. On the other hand, smaller averages of all weight z-score (recent weight at 40 weeks of gestation) included lower birth weight, height, and head circumference. On the other hand, infants' birth weight, height, and head circumference in the weight z-score of <0 (<50% in the age-weight growth chart) was smaller than those in the weight z-score of ≥0. Furthermore, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization period and NICU discharge were shorter with growth cessation age in weight z-score of <0. The weight growth velocity was associated with gestational age, birth weight, and medical treatment in the NICU. Thus, parents of preterm infants with low growth rates prefer more community care services for their children. Conclusion: Birth weight, age of preterm infants, and medical treatment in the NICU were factors related to early birth weight growth. Following NICU discharge, poor intake and intake issues were associated with poor growth after 40 weeks of gestation. Therefore, monitoring the growth of preterm infants requires continuous active involvement and supports for growth-promoting factors after NICU discharge.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2023

Background: In vitro culture of preantral follicles is a promising technology for fertility preservation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate an optimized three-dimensional (3D) fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free preantral follicle culture system having a simple and easy operation. Methods: The isolated follicles from mouse ovaries were randomly divided in an ultra-low attachment 96-well plates supplement with FBS or bovine serum albumin (BSA) culture or encapsulated with an alginate supplement with FBS or BSA culture. Meanwhile, estradiol (E₂) concentration was assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture supernatants. The diameter of follicular growth was measured, and the lumen of the follicle was photographed. Spindle microtubules of oocytes were detected via immunofluorescence. The ability of oocytes to fertilize was assessed using in vitro fertilization. Results: The diameters were larger for the growing secondary follicles cultured in ultra-low attachment 96-well plates than in the alginate gel on days 6, 8, and 10 (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the E2 concentration in the BSA-supplemented medium was significantly higher in the alginate gel than in the other three groups on days 6 and 8 (p < 0.05), and the oocytes in the FBS-free system could complete meiosis and fertilization in vitro. Conclusions: The present study furnishes insights into the mature oocytes obtained from the 3D culture of the preantral follicle by using ultra-low attachment 96-well plate with an FBS-free system in vitro and supports the clinical practices to achieve competent, mature oocytes for in vitro fertilization.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.19-32
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the educational status, knowledge, awareness, and readiness for dysphagia therapy among university occupational therapy students. Methods : One hundred and five online questionnaires completed by senior-year students at an occupational therapy university were analyzed. The questionnaire assessed the educational status, knowledge, awareness, and readiness for dysphagia therapy. Descriptive statistics and differences between those with and without practical experience were analyzed. The relationships among educational status, knowledge, and readiness were analyzed. Results : Independent opening of the dysphagia therapy class (69.5%) and experience in dysphagia practice were high (79.0%). Dysphagia education and knowledge in university and practice were moderate and item scores were higher for university education. Knowledge of adult dysphagia therapy was higher than that of pediatric dysphagia therapy. Scores on awareness, knowledge, and readiness for dysphagia therapy were significantly higher among students with practical experience. Conclusion : Education and knowledge of dysphagia therapy were moderate. Knowledge and readiness in adults are higher than in children. Systematic dysphagia therapy education in university and associated practices are needed to enhance the specialty of dysphagia therapy.